Dale Head

It is actually wrong to describe this valley as Ryedale. By convention, the source of a river is its longest tributary which puts the source of the River Rye at the appropriately named Rye Head near to the Swainby Shooting Hut on Whorlton Moor. The ruined Dale Head overlooks Wheat Beck, a shorter tributary.

It’s an idyllic spot, seemingly just ripe for renovation. An attempt was made to renovate the buildings in 2010 but was mysteriously subjected to an arson attack with a loss to the owner of half a million pounds. I do not know if the culprit was ever caught but it would be a brave man to have another go.

The last tenants were the Robinsons who left about 1960. During the war, some bombs were dropped nearby. No doubt a jettison rather than a deliberate attempt to blow the place up. At that time it was farmed by the Chapmans.